The Legion Marches by Ex-legionary Fritz Klose translated by Claud W. Sykes
About the Book: 
‘ Klose’s journey starts in Frankfurt in 1921 towards Hochst and then Cologne. This was not so straightforward as he had hoped as  “I had no passport and no permit to cross into the district occupied by French Troops taking through French.”  After being arrested he was on his way. And eventually reached Sidi bel Abbes. From there to Morocco.  A very stark and often brutal account in what is a very scarce book to find.  
 
Book Type: Hard back with red cloth covers 
Genre:  Military
Edition: no date but c1932
Published:  John Hamilton, London
ISBN: Pre ISBN numbering.
Printed: John Wright & Son Ltd, Stonebridge House, Bristol. 
Size: 22x 14cm
Pages: 287
A good copy.
Illustrations: 29 x Black and white photographs (author writes ‘I must apologies for the interior photography with which this book is illustrated. Many of them were taken at the risk of the photographers’ lives; it was therefore impossible to exercise too much judgement about the exposure. The large percentage of saltpetre in the North African water has also had a bad influence on their development, while many have suffered through being carried for years in tunic drenched with the perspiration of the wearers. 
 
Contents
Human Flotsam and Jetsam in the legion
From Marseilles to Oran
Oran to Sidi Bel Abbes
Off to Morocco
Life in Morocco
The Corvee De Bois
Roads and telephones
“Barout!”
July 14th
Final Reflections
 
CONDITION:
Covers: Red Boards are overall strong even though there are marks to front and back and scuffing and wear to all the outer edges. The outward condition belies the very good condition of the pages within.
Binding: Tight with a slight lean
Spine: The title on spine is faded and scuffing to edges. 
Pages.  All pages complete. In very good condition bright and clean.  Owners name on front end paper. 
Back Story and Biography 
From its very beginning (1831) the Foreign Legion was formed for the purpose of pulling chestnuts out of the fire for France without receiving any thanks. Up to the nineties of the pervious century the Legion consisted of two regiments and several detachments, amounting to roughly some 6000 to 8000 men. Today three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry are quartered in Algeria, while another three regiments are employed in Morocco.   During the1930s when this book was written “the Legion played a major part in the Rif War of 1920–25. In 1932, the Foreign Legion consisted of 30,000 men, serving in six multi-battalion regiments including the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI – Algeria, Syria and Lebanon; 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment 2ème REI, 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment 3ème REI, and 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment 4ème REI – Morocco, Lebanon; 5th Foreign Infantry 5ème REI – Indochina; and 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment 1er REC – Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco. In 1931, Général Paul-Frédéric Rollet assumed the role of 1st Inspector of the Foreign Legion, a post created at his initiative. While serving as colonel of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment (1925–1931), Rollet was responsible for planning the centennial celebrations of the Legion's foundation; scheduling this event for Camarón Day 30 April 1931. He was subsequently credited with creating much of the modern mystique of the Legion by restoring or creating many of its traditions.” Courtesy of Wikipedia.  
 
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